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Chemical Name: 1,1-Dichloroethene
Common Names: Vinylidene chloride
Chemical Formula: C2H2Cl2
Physical State: Clear, colorless liquid with a sharp, sweet odor
Main Hazards: This liquid releases fumes that tend to irritate eyes, skin, and lungs. Most offices and homes do not deal with 1,1-dichloroethene, but industrial workers run into it during polymer and plastics production. At high concentration, flammable vapor from 1,1-dichloroethene can mix with air and ignite around hot surfaces or sparks. Even small amounts in enclosed space pose a real inhalation risk—lightheadedness, headache, and even central nervous system effects have been reported. Over enough time, it has left some with liver and kidney trouble.
Main Component: 1,1-Dichloroethene, near pure content in industrial use settings
Impurities: Possible presence of other chlorinated hydrocarbons in low percentages
Inhalation: Move exposed person to fresh air without delay. Breathing support sometimes helps if symptoms appear. Symptoms such as dizziness, difficulty breathing, or nausea call for prompt evaluation by healthcare.
Skin Contact: Remove contaminated clothing; wash affected area with plenty of water. Those with sensitive skin sometimes notice redness or burning.
Eye Contact: Rinse with clean water for minutes, holding eyelids apart to flush chemicals out. A trip for medical attention often occurs if irritation persists.
Ingestion: Avoid inducing vomiting. Rinse mouth, seek immediate medical help.
Suitable Extinguishing Media: Dry chemical, carbon dioxide, or foam. Water fights fire in the surroundings, but direct streams tend to spread it since the liquid floats.
Hazards from Fire: Highly flammable vapor forms explosive mixtures with air. Burns can send up clouds of hydrogen chloride, a toxic and corrosive gas. Firefighters must wear a full set of protective gear and self-contained breathing apparatus.
Advice for Firefighters: Keep containers cool with water spray, approach upwind, and move people away from hazard zone.
Personal Precautions: Wear organic vapor respirator, chemical-resistant gloves, and goggles or face shield. Block off leak area to keep others out.
Environmental Precautions: Keep spills out of drains, sewers, or waterways. Chlorinated solvents cause damage in water even at low concentrations, harming aquatic life.
Clean-Up Methods: Stop leak if safe, absorb liquid with dry sand or earth, collect for proper disposal. Ventilate area in case of spilled vapor.
Precautions for Safe Handling: Workers need well-ventilated facilities, no open flames, and no smoking near storage or use areas. Operators should ground all transfer lines, since static sparks can set off a fire.
Storage Conditions: Keep stored containers cool, tightly closed, away from sunlight and ignition sources. Segregate from strong oxidizers, acids, and bases. Fully train staff on emergency response.
Engineering Controls: Use local exhaust ventilation systems and explosion-proof equipment. Monitor air for vapors to keep concentration below occupational limits.
Personal Protection: Chemical splash goggles, organic vapor respirator, protective gloves, and long-sleeved chemical-resistant clothing. Remove contaminated gear, wash hands before eating or drinking.
Appearance: Colorless, transparent liquid
Odor: Sharp, sweet smell
Boiling Point: About 32°C (90°F)
Melting Point: Approximately -122°C (-188°F)
Vapor Pressure: High at room temperature, leading to rapid evaporation
Solubility: Limited in water, miscible with many organic solvents
Density: Heavier than water
Chemical Stability: Stable if kept cool and out of light, protected from heat and flames.
Reactivity: Reacts with strong oxidizers, acids, or bases to release toxic gases. Polymerizes when exposed to heat or light without inhibitor.
Conditions to Avoid: Sunlight, static electricity, sparks, or sources of heat.
Hazardous Decomposition: Hydrogen chloride, phosgene, and carbon monoxide if burned or significantly decomposed.
Main Health Effects: Short-term exposure to vapor can cause headaches, drowsiness, and throat or lung irritation. Direct skin or eye contact sometimes leads to pain or redness. Swallowing leads to nausea, vomiting, and dizziness, and more severe exposures threaten the liver and kidney function. Some animal studies link it to cancer, but human evidence remains limited. Governments in the US and Europe still flag it as a possible carcinogen out of caution.
Aquatic Toxicity: Spills or runoff into streams and lakes threaten fish and other aquatic life even at low concentrations.
Acute and Chronic Effects: Short-term harm appears quickly in water-dwelling species. Long persistence in soil or water isn’t common, since this chemical tends to break down in sunlight.
Bioaccumulation: Not known for building up in the food chain, but frequent spills raise local risk.
Disposal Methods: Treat as hazardous chemical waste. Only licensed facilities equipped for chlorinated solvents should handle final disposal, usually by high-temperature incineration. Never pour into drains, soil, or water sources. Empty containers can still hold dangerous vapors and need full cleaning and proper scrapping.
UN Number: Assigned during shipping as a regulated hazardous good for flammability and toxicity.
Transport Hazards: Clearly labeled as flammable and toxic; all drivers and handlers require special training. Secure upright containers, avoid shock or dropping. Spills during transport call for swift emergency procedures.
Workplace Standards: Most governments cap how much vapor workers may breathe in over an 8-hour shift, based on years of toxicology data. Federal agencies list 1,1-dichloroethene under hazardous substances laws, flagging it for safety training, monitoring, and exposure limits. Environmental rules restrict how much can be released into air, soil, or water, reflecting broader concerns about long-term health and ecosystem risks.
